Cheese and Wine Tasting Platter in Saint Martin

Imagine strolling through the charming streets of Saint Martin’s Marigot, then settling into a cozy shop for a 1.5-hour tasting that promises a delightful combination of farmhouse cheeses and small-batch wines. For just over $56 per person, you get an intimate tasting experience complemented by a knowledgeable guide, making it a worthwhile choice for food lovers and curious travelers alike.

What we especially like about this experience is the focus on authentic, farm-made cheeses and wines from passionate small producers—most organic. The digital guide used throughout the tour also helps you better understand and savor each pairing, adding a modern twist to a classic tasting. Equally appealing is the small group size, limited to eight people, which ensures a personal and engaging experience.

On the flip side, this tour is relatively short—lasting about an hour and a half—and doesn’t include extras like coffee or tea, so if you’re hungry for more or prefer a more extensive experience, you might need to supplement this outing. It’s best suited for those who enjoy culinary discoveries in a relaxed, intimate setting. If you’re the kind of traveler who loves to learn about regional products and enjoy authentic flavors, this tasting will hit the mark.

Key Points

• Authentic Experience: Tastes come from small, passionate producers, mostly organic.
• Educational and Fun: The digital guide adds depth and understanding to each pairing.
• Limited Group Size: Small groups (max 8) foster a personal atmosphere.
• Variety of Platings: Choose from three cheese and wine platters, each with a different theme.
• Focus on Raw Milk: All cheeses are farm-made with raw milk, offering genuine flavors.
• Price & Duration: Reasonably priced at $56.40 for 1.5 hours of tasting, ideal for a relaxed, half-day activity.

Deep Dive into the Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience

The Setting and Overview

Starting at Le Comptoir des Fromages on Les Amandiers in Marigot, this tour places you right amid Saint Martin’s local food scene. The shop exudes a welcoming, authentic vibe, and the proximity to the waterfront makes it an easy, pleasant walk. The experience is rooted in small-scale, artisanal products, emphasizing quality over quantity.

The tasting lasts about 90 minutes, during which you’ll sample 6 cheeses paired with 6 wines. The digital guide walks you through each pairing, explaining why certain cheeses complement specific wines. It’s an approachable way to learn about flavor combinations—ideal if you’re not a connoisseur but eager to expand your palate.

The Cheese Platters and Their Themes

You get to choose from three distinct cheese and wine slates:

• The Timeless: Featuring classic cheeses aged to perfection—think robust and familiar flavors.
• The Audacious: Surprising, lesser-known cheeses that challenge your palate.
• The Goats Escape: A slate dedicated to goat and sheep cheeses, showcasing a broader range of textures and flavors.

All cheeses are predominantly farm-produced and made with raw milk, which enhances their authentic character. The emphasis on farm and raw milk cheeses means you’ll experience sharper, fresher, and more nuanced flavors compared to mass-produced varieties.

The Wines

Each wine is sourced from small, passionate producers, most practicing organic methods. They are carefully selected to pair harmoniously with each cheese, enhancing the tasting experience. The focus on small producers often means more unique, less commercialized wines—perfect for those wanting to explore lesser-known vintages and varieties.

What the Reviews Say

One enthusiastic traveler, Karen_K, called it a “Fun tour of wine & cheese tasting,” noting that she and her husband enjoyed sampling the cheeses with different wines. She highlighted the convivial atmosphere and the chance to meet fellow travelers, adding that “two other couples from Toronto were on our tour and they were great to visit with as well.”

However, she also wished the shop vendor had been more engaging to encourage purchases after the tasting. This common point suggests that while the tasting is enjoyable, it might not be geared towards high-pressure sales or extensive shop visits, which some may find refreshing.

Authenticity and Educational Value

The digital guide significantly enhances the experience, providing explanations behind each pairing and helping you understand flavor profiles. This approach makes the tasting more than just a snack—it’s an educational journey into regional cheeses and wines.

On top of that, the small group size ensures you won’t feel overwhelmed or lost in a crowd. Instead, you’ll get personalized attention and the chance to ask questions, making it particularly suitable for curious travelers who love to learn as they taste.

Practical Details

• Meeting Point & Time: The tour begins at 11:00 am at Le Comptoir des Fromages, located conveniently in Marigot.
• Duration & Group Size: About 90 minutes, with a maximum of 8 travelers—a manageable size for conversation and engagement.
• Price & Value: At $56.40 per person, this experience offers a good balance of quality, education, and intimacy.

Considerations

Given the relatively short duration and absence of included extras like coffee or tea, those wanting a full-day food tour or a more extensive tasting might find this experience limited. Also, the focus is primarily on cheese and wine, so if your interests extend beyond that, you’ll need to plan additional activities.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour?

If you’re someone who appreciates authentic regional products, values small-batch, artisanal foods, and enjoys learning about food pairings in an intimate setting, this tour will suit you well. It’s especially perfect for foodies, couples, or solo travelers looking to add a flavorful, educational element to their Saint Martin trip.

It’s less suited for those seeking a large-group experience, or for travelers with very specific dietary restrictions, given the focus on cheese and wine. However, if you’re open-minded and eager to discover local flavors, this tasting will be both enjoyable and informative.

The Sum Up

The Cheese and Wine Tasting Platter in Saint Martin offers a cozy, authentic introduction to local artisanal cheeses and small-producer wines. With its focus on raw milk cheeses, organic wines, and a knowledgeable guide, it provides a memorable, educational experience in a friendly setting. The small group size makes it ideal for those who enjoy personal attention and engaging conversation.

While it’s relatively brief and doesn’t include extras like coffee, the thoughtfully curated selection and emphasis on genuine products make it a solid choice for food lovers. If you’re interested in discovering regional flavors and learning how cheese and wine can enhance each other, this tour will leave you with new tastes and a better appreciation for Saint Martin’s culinary craftsmanship.

Perfect for curious travelers, couples, or small groups eager for a relaxed yet enriching tasting experience. Just remember to book a few weeks in advance—this popular activity tends to fill up.

FAQ

What is included in the tour?
You will sample 6 farmhouse or artisanal raw milk cheeses paired with 6 wines, guided by a digital explanation throughout the experience. The price includes all tastings and the guide.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at Le Comptoir des Fromages on Les Amandiers in Marigot and ends back at the same location. The meeting point is easy to find and centrally located.

How long does the experience last?
The tasting lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it a perfect half-day activity that won’t take up your entire schedule.

Is this experience suitable for all travelers?
Most travelers can participate, as long as you enjoy cheese and wine tasting. The small group size makes it comfortable for most, but those with specific dietary needs should inquire beforehand.

Can I purchase cheeses or wines after the tasting?
While the reviewer noted a desire for the shop vendor to be more engaging in sales, you might have the opportunity to buy your favorites after the session.

How far in advance should I book?
On average, this experience is booked about 19 days ahead, so it’s best to reserve early to secure your spot.

What is the price point relative to the experience?
At $56.40 per person, it offers good value considering the quality of products and personalized guidance, especially for a unique tasting in Saint Martin.

This cheese and wine tour, with its authentic focus and intimate setting, provides a genuine taste of local craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, it’s a delightful way to deepen your appreciation for Saint Martin’s culinary scene.